Q: Who to dump?

[SleeperAgent]

OK, after Nalia abduction fiasco (where I couldn't access the dialogue which rescues her from Iseeae) I started off as a blade.

I have:
Me
Minsc
Nalia
Aerie
Yoshimo
Jaheira

I have a dilemma: I'd send Yoshimo for story purpose, but personally I don't like the idea of having two thief/mages (even though one is essentially a single class mage who can use bows). Who to ditch?

[Ravager]

It depends a lot on your style of play, personally I think I'd get rid of Aerie as her role is duplicated by Nalia and Jaheira. But if you're focusing on a specific area such as melee or magic then it might change your decision.
As a blade you probably need more melee compensation in your party, so that supports discarding Aerie.

[CaptRory]

I prefer having lots of magic in my party which is why I get Jan Jansen for my thieving needs. That and for the long rambling stories.

[Philos]

I like both Yoshimo & Aerie, but...

with who you have, I would drop both of them and get perhaps Mazzy (or Valygar) and Anomen (yeah I know he is a big irritant but he level SO fast that he becomes a serious powerhouse fairly quick and more than replaces Aerie who is also very fragile HP wise). Nalia becomes a good mage easily surpassing Aerie early on as well. Your blade will handle any theiving, so both are kind of redundant. Don't get me wrong I really like both characters, but that's my two cents.

[Thrifalas]

Drop Yoshi and Nalia for Immy, then drop Minsc for Sary. That'll leave you with Good fighting (You, Sary, Jaheira), healing (Aerie, Jaheira), casting (Immy, Aerie) and sufficient thieving (Immy) skills. On top of that, it's a 5-man party which will allow you to level up faster and will give you more time to maneuver your other characters.

6-man parties are just disasters, 3-5 is much better for rp:ing parties and 1-2 for powersolo/dualing.